Rory McIlroy made his return to playing action today, with the 35-year old carding a -5 score in the first round of the Scottish Open this afternoon.
This was McIlroy's first return to action since the disappointment he suffered at the US Open last month, although there were few signs of rust during his opening 18 holes.
This was a tasty eagle for Rory McIlroy in the first round of the Scottish Open 🔥
He shot -5 on his first return to competitive action since the US Open.pic.twitter.com/ZnFApJyLMC— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 11, 2024
Speaking after the end of his round, he was asked the big news that emerged in relation to next year's Ryder Cup in recent days.
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Rory McIlroy Won't Follow Bradley Example For Ryder Cup In Adare
It was announced this week that Keegan Bradley would captain the US team at next year's Ryder Cup, a decision that took many by surprise considering that Bradley is still in the thick of contention to make the team as a player.
However, he suggested that he would act as a playing captain were he to automatically qualify for the event at Bethpage. A playing captain is a very rare occurrence in the Ryder Cup.
With the event taking place on Irish soil in 2027, it has been suggested that Rory McIlroy could captain Team Europe at Adare Manor. Considering that he would still be one of the best players in the world, that would likely mean a playing role for the Holywood native.
Speaking after his opening round at the Scottish Open, he dismissed that as a possibility.
Absolutely not. I have contemplated it for Adare and no, there’s too much work that goes into it. I have seen what Luke went through preparing for Rome [last year] and there is no way.
There is no way you can be as good a captain as you need to be and be a player as well...
It has been mentioned and I have just said ‘No way’. If you want to be the best captain you can be, you can’t play and if you want to be the best player, you can’t captain.
It is one or the other, especially with how big the Ryder Cup has become and how many things you have to do in the lead up to or the week of the event.
Keegan is the 19th-ranked player in the world so he has a great chance of making the team. If he does, he is just going to have to give that captaincy role to one of his vice-captains.
While you can expect to see Rory McIlroy play in the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor, it won't be coming in conjunction with the captaincy.
Despite this, he is all but certainly to lead Team Europe into the event at some stage in the future.
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